Home is where Jørgensen's heart is

Denmark winger Martin Jørgensen has rejoined his first club AGF Århus after more than a decade in Serie A with Udinese Calcio and ACF Fiorentina.

With 93 international caps and three major tournaments – the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups and UEFA EURO 2004 – on his CV, Jørgensen's return heralds a major coup for the Danish Superligaen. While some have questioned if the move is more romantic than rational, the player himself is in no doubt he made the correct decision to leave Fiorentina and sign an 18-month contract with AGF.

"My aim is to play more and I would like to end my career where it all started," said the 34-year-old. "I am looking forward to playing in Denmark. It is going to be completely different to what I have been used to, but I am ready for that." AGF sporting director Brian Steen Nielsen is equally convinced the deal will prove beneficial to both parties. "This is a really great day for AGF," he said. "It is fantastic that we succeeded in signing a player like Martin Jørgensen. By signing him, we are close to creating a dream team – we have several candidates for the World Cup in our squad."

Jørgensen, who had made just two Serie A starts for the Viola this term, is one such contender for a place at this summer's finals in South Africa. His international coach Morten Olsen remains tight-lipped on how the midfielder's cause might be helped by his homecoming. "He knows playing is essential, and obviously this is a signal that he definitely wants to play at the World Cup, which is no surprise," said Olsen. "However, you cannot compare Serie A with the Superliga. This is, of course, a step down the ladder, which will not make things easier for him. The most important question is what mentality and attitude he comes home with."

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